[drmr]

Or maybe there is just a varied group of enthusiastic geeks that just want to collaborate on common tooling like APIs, libraries, frameworks, packaging, and distribution.

It may "seem" that there's some sort of "take-over", it's just that people are actually coordinating on these common goals of free software audio tools.

[rStar]

care to share any of your reasons for optimism?

[drmr]

Because I use Linux Pro Audio tools in my studio and daily life and am involved with testing builds, helping with ports, generally messing around (, break stuff), and occasionally make a tune or two.

I am very happy with the free and open tools I have at my disposal. Even with the numerous rough edges, duct-tape and hacks to keep some things together.

This is Hacker News, right?

[rStar]

it's hacker news so I expect some actual reasons not hand waving generalities that don't amount to a "hill of beans"